PART 64
Varsha opened her lunch packet slowly. She had brought it from a small shop which sold these amazing paranthas which felt like ones you got to eat at home. She made the parantha into a roll, and noticed the butter trickling from it.
She sighed. At home she would always kick up a big fuss if her paranthas had excess oil, or if her mother doled out large amounts of butter or ghee on the paranthas, saying it was necessary for a working girl like her. There had always been fights between the two of them on the matter
She smiled and came back to the present. Now there were no such confrontations, simply because Aai wasn't with her. All that remained were questions- those to whom she had no answers.
It had been almost two weeks since she had come to Delhi. She still remembered how difficult it had been in the initial days to settle down- she knew no one here except for some very old acquaintances. It had been a surprise when she had met Manav's Atya at the station- she had given her her telephone no. to contact and address in case she needed anything. She had felt quite uncomfortable when Atya had asked her what she was doing in Delhi. In short, she had explained that she was following some legal matters from here, without telling her parents cos they wouldn't let her be involved. Atya had reprimanded her, but had agreed to cooperate nevertheless, after giving her a pep talk about how much her parents trusted her and she must not lie to them in this manner, and try and tell the truth as soon as possible.
She closed her eyes. It was so difficult to maintain a balance between what she ought to do and what circumstances were forcing her to do.
"Wake up sleeping beauty!!!"
She opened her eyes. It was Abhimanyu. He sat down next to her.
"Eating alone?"
She offered him the parantha , but he refused it.
"I'm on a diet."
She giggled. Abhimanyu started a new diet plan at the beginning of the week and broke it by the end of the week. This had happened two times in a row.
"What happened?"
She shook her head. "You can tell me!"
She smiled. It was surprising how in just a few days, Abhi and she had bonded well. She had always thought of him as a boring person, but call it fate or whatever, she was with him now and totally dependent on him. And he had proved to be a good friend. Her impression of him was the same as earlier, but she somehow felt now that he could be trusted and was a patient, mature soul. It felt good to talk to him. He always gave her good advice.
"Nothing. Just feeling guilty."
"What for?"
"Lying to my parents. Hiding things from them. Not fulfilling my duties. Ignoring my family."
Abhimanyu smirked a little. Varsha couldn't help noticing it.
"Long list!!!"
"Do you think this is funny?" she asked in an irritated voice.
"Well, yeah, sort off- actually its too complicated to be real—this is like the fiction tales silly writers imagine out of their heads."
She sighed. "Facts are stranger than fiction sometimes. And the fact is—my condition is difficult."
Abhi adjusted his specs. "Take my advice- tell everything to your parents."
Varsha gave him an irritated look. "Haven't I told you before—if I tell my parents, they will ask me to drop this whole issue and come back and will get me married. That is their only concern in life. They have no intention of my future, my career or my reputation as an individual. I have seen my Tai's case and I know their views on marriages."
"But who knows maybe they would agree to help you..???"
She shook her head. "They don't like getting involved in such legal matters. My sister was harassed for dowry, cheated in marriage, abused by her MIL.. yet they did not take any legal action- reason—their weird views on 'what if society comes to know' or 'what will people say'. That is all they are concerned with. And don't forget- technically I ought to be in jail right now. Manav jeeju got me out illegally. They will be shocked out of their wits if they come to know this. I don't know after this they would support me or not- they are all conscience ridden folks.
"But.."
"I know my parents well Abhi," said Varsha sadly. "They are good and loving people, but not good fighters. They believe in compromising, tolerating any damn injustice—but I'm not like that. Add to it, that somewhere, they have always been against my ideas- they just have this bug in their mind, that anything I suggest is wrong for sure. They will blow a fuse if they come to know that I am out of jail illegally on a false medical certificate on pretext of treatment. Let our court case against Prasanna job agencies reach some solid state and let me get a proper bail, I will myself tell them about my decision. Then they will see for themselves that there is some hope and might support me."
"Till then??"
Varsha kept silent. For a long time both didn't say anything.
"Vaishali may get engaged." Varsha said finally. "They are calling me home."
"Hawww… ab???
"I told I can't come and got another good lecture. Aai pointed out all the bitter truths about how I was ignoring home. I got cross with her and banged the phone."
"You shouldn't have done that."
"I know.. I was rude.. but I don't know what got into me.. I had no answer for any of her questions. From her POV, they were justified questions. I ignore home a lot, I don't call and don't even send money.."
Abhi smiled. "How much are you making here that you will send to them..?" he said softly. Varsha nodded. She made only Rs. 9000 at the mall where she was working at present. It got used up in paying for food and other expenses.
"Actually the biggest problem is not that.." she said, thinking deeply. "Biggest problem is that I don't have a clear idea of the status of Tai and Manav Jeeju's relationship at present. I have called home only twice ever since I came to Delhi, and they were short calls. I met Jeeju's Atya at the station- she told me things are fine there. So maybe.."
"You know what.." said Abhi, scratching his head. "Call your sister and ask about her situation at present."
"She will come to know the truth if I call her from a Delhi number.. it will flash on the mobile screen." said Varsha dejectedly.
"Then let her know!" said Abhi. "At least she will come to know what exactly happened that day. Who knows your Jeeju was able to convince her or not? Who knows problems between them have increased or decreased?"
"Manav Jeeju's Atya didn't tell me anything of the sort.. so maybe.. all is well..??" she said hopefully.
Abhi looked at her incredulously. "How can you leave such things to a 'maybe' Varsha? You need to be 100% sure, lest your sister ends up getting divorced. You called at home two times, why didn't you ask at that time..???"
"They were very short calls.. I simply informed them that I'm alright, if I had chatted longer, then they would have asked more questions about 'London' and I would have to make up more stories and.."
"Nothing justifies your excuses." Said Abhi flatly.
Varsha flared up. "Do you think this is very easy for me??? Put yourself in my shoes and see my muddled state!- guilt, vengeance, resolve, emotions, worry for family- all combined- and see how I'm handling this!"
She turned away from him. "Hey I'm sorry Varsha.." he said in a soft voice. "I only meant to say that you need to take some concrete steps- you need to make sure that your sister knows the truth about why Manav didn't come on the most important day of their life- the day of the court hearing- it might help her make some decisions.."
"But she will tell Aai-Baba everything and then they will insist on calling me back."
"We cannot have everything on our own whims and fancies Varsha," he said. "Somewhere we have to compromise. You decide what is more important for you- a chance to clear your name in front of all, or your sister's married life." With this, Abhi got up and walked away, leaving Varsha alone, thoughtful.
******************************
Manav waited outside the palacial guest house. It was where Sachin was residing at present- the bills, no doubt, being paid by his rich girlfriend Sweety.
"Should we go in Dada?" asked Vandu, with an aarti thali in her hand. Sachin had called her to say that he wouldn't step into that chawl or into the Deshmukh house, and that she must come by herself.
"Yes, let's go." Said Manav, unsure of Sachin's reaction to his entry in the house. Together both of them started walking through the gateway.. when suddenly they saw someone..
SHRAVANI??!!!??
Manav was so shocked that he didn't have time to react. How did Sharavani know about Sachin's whereabouts.. did this mean Sachin had told HER but not HIM. He felt his heart sinking.
He continued walking, till he came almost face to face with Shravani. He noticed that she was dressed in a saree, simply clad without any jewellery or heels. He hadn't noticed her car outside and he remembered what Vandu had told him- Shravani travelled in locals nowadays- to prove that she could very well adjust to Manav's customs, traditions and lifestyle if given a chance.
She saw him approaching but her face did not give away any expressions, as she watched Manav's angry, insolent face. She smiled at Vandu.
"Is Dada in a good mood Tai?" asked Vandu.
"Yes." She said and looked at Manav, who looked away. "I talked to him regarding coming back, and his response was very positive. Confront him a little more, he will break." She suggested.
"I DON'T want to 'break my brother'." Said Manav in an icy cold voice. "I know him better than you, I can handle him. I don't need your advice."
Shravani shook her head. She smiled again at Vandu and walked away.
****************************
Sachin was pleased to see Vandu. She tied the rakhi on his wrist and he blessed her. He also ordered lots of dishes for her. Then he looked at Manav uncomfortably. "What will you have?" he asked, indicating the menu list.
"I just want to have a talk with you."
"There is nothing left to talk." Said Sachin. "I and you have differences, and we cannot live together—you do not like listening to my bitter views and I can't tolerate your patronizing attitude and the fact that you make decisions for all of us."
"Sachin, please try and understand, I know you are hurt cos Baba slapped you, but try and see his POV- he was hurt cos you said something bad about me- his son. The decision of postponing your marriage with Sweety might have created problems for you businesswise, but it was taken by elders (Baba and Sweety's Dad) cos they felt it was right for both of you- not cos they were against the two of you. I talked to Sachin's father on your marriage issue cos everyone was uncomfortable with it- Baba, Sweety's family, me.."
"Aai was on my side." Said Sachin. "Why didn't you respect her judgement?"
"There is nothing like that.."
"Leave it Dada, you know you have no answers to these questions. It's an open fact now that we don't matter to you- We means- I, Vandita and my Aai.."
"She is my Aai also.." said Manav, "and Vedant-Vandu are my siblings as well.."
Sachin gave him a bored look. "Yes, that is why you decided to risk our lives by using up our savings on your stupid legal ventures, that is why you decided to rule my life by taking decisions about my business and my life.. do you know where I'm standing now Dada- this is a top class guest house—I'm here cos Sweety is rich enough to afford this.. and its not just about money- she is supporting me cos she thinks I have it in me to do well.. she is following my dreams along with me.. you know.. she asked her Dad that she was fine with postponing marriage if he took up my business proposal, but when he didn't like the proposal, she arm-twisted her Uncles to support me in my business venture- YES, I'VE ARRANGED FOR CAPITAL- she did it for me cos she trusts me and.."
"Wait a sec.." said Manav. "What do you mean by 'arm-twisted'? Her Uncles weren't ready to take up your proposal? They didn't find it good enough? Did she have to use the relationship card for them?"
Sachin was taken aback. He fumbled. "No.. I mean.."
"Sachin, I want to point out two things—1.) If all investors, even those who came through Tarun's reference, are rejecting your proposal again and again, then you must take a good look into it, to see what exactly is wrong with it, what it lacks, instead of taking short cuts and using contacts. 2.) If Sweety's Uncles are entering into this without any heart, then you must be wary- if this fails tomorrow, circumstances may become difficult for you and Sweety professionally as well as personally."
Sachin was flabbergasted. "WHY WILL MY BUSINESS PLAN FAIL? It won't fail!! Why do you have to even utter such words- do you think you have better business sense than me?? Have you forgotten how you and Tarun Dada messed up the loans and brought more troubles on our heads?"
Hearing about the loans mess embarrassed Manav. He softened a little. "Sachu, I genuinely hope it doesn't fail and goes on to succeed. But if it does fail, then WHAT? Will Sweety and the Uncles (who are not even in favour of this proposal) stand by you then??? Isn't it better that you wait for sometime, maybe Tarun can come up with something better for you???"
"He won't be able to come up with anything better. I came to know that his company is having financial problems and he is having to fire people right now.. how can he invest money in my business proposal."
"Sachin.."
"I don't want to discuss these nitty-gritties with you any more- you know nothing of business anyway." Sachin turned his face away. "All I want is that you keep out of my life now. You have troubled me and my people enough- cos of you and Vahini Vedant-Vandu are being subjected to this drama and fights every other day, cos of you Aai is worried about personal and financial issues, we have no money in our accounts cos you used it all up despite I telling you repeatedly that DON'T USE IT—now I can only request you to spare my people."
Manav was shocked. "Sachin, they are my family as well.." he said emotionally. "And I value them and their opinions.."
"Oh really???" said Sachin incredulously. "Then why have you started questioning Aai about why she lets Shravani come into that house, why have you openly started voicing your displeasure over it???"
Manav was taken aback. "Keep Shravani out of all this," he said in a silent, angry voice.
"Why? Why keep Aai and Shravani out of all this? You are all upbeat when it comes to deciding what is right for me, but I and others are not supposed to discuss about you, right? WOW!"
"Alright, then let's discuss it. I didn't ask Aai to forbid Shravani from coming home cos I want things to go my way, but cos it is right for all of us. Aai is giving Shravani unnecessary hopes. People were already gossiping about me and her, and they will start gossiping more. I frankly don't care about it, but it won't be good for her in the long run. My personal reasons for HATING her are additional—she WRECKED my marriage!"
Sachin laughed. "Funny- Archana Vahini, and her family have humiliated you so many times- but you don't seem to hate them- whereas Shravani and her father have always been so respectful even though they are much above her, but you hate Shravani cos of one mistake she made."
"Archana and her family is under a serious misunderstanding created by people in their own family, while Shravani did everything purposely with a bad intention- don't you see the difference here?"
Sachin shook his head. "No. I only see the long term profit-loss, not who is right and who is wrong. Archana Vahini 's condition might be understandable, but she has brought only gloom to our house and ruined us in every way. Shravani, on the other hand, is wrong, but she has always supported us. Now even though you hate her and insulted her so badly, yet she consoles Aai and even was asking me to come back home. And her situation is understandable as well- you have taken her for granted just as you have taken all of us for granted.."
"I HAVEN'T TAKEN ANYONE FOR GRANTED!" said Manav loudly. He looked aside for a moment to see that Vandu was getting more and more nervous with the mounting tension in the room.
"I don't want to give any explanations about what 'injustice' I have done to Shravani, cos I don't think I have done anything wrong with her. My conscience is clear on that aspect. I only want to tell you that my family means the same to me as before- you are the one who is interpreting things in a different way, and if in any way, just anyway, I could make you believe that, then.."
Sachin had been quiet all this time. "You really want me to believe you?"
"Yes." Said Manav, a glimmer of hope rising.
"Then prove it that you value your family's well being and their happiness-after divorce, GET MARRIED TO SHRAVANI."
Manav felt as if the world had collided on him. Vandu's eyes opened up as she listened to this. She looked at Manav to see his reaction.
"WHAT RUBBISH!!!" Manav bellowed. "I don't need to prove my love for my family by taking foolish decisions. And you are no one to command me… don't forget you are younger to me Sachin.."
"Oh yeah!!!" said Sachin sarcastically. "Each and every decision you make for others is justified by you using logic and facts, but now you don't want to think practically??? Face the truth—Everyone in our house LIKES Shravani, no one likes Archana Vahini. Shravani is a mature, understanding and loving girl, someone who has stood by us ALWAYS. She has a father who inspite of being your boss has always treated you well, not like the Karanjkars who treat you like a dog. Her father made you the supervisor of his garages when we were in financial problems- he treats you like a son. But you will never think of all that- you are only stuck on your 'Archana jaap'—never do you consider what these people have done for you, for one mistake, you will now punish Shravani forever- the mistake of breaking a marriage which was never a marriage actually. You don't care about yourself, DO YOU CARE ABOUT THE FAMILY MEMBERS AT LEAST?? Can you give them some peace of mind, a safe secure future- things have been snatched away from them since the time Archana Vahini came in that house!!! Girishji would easily leave behind his garages for you and everything could get sorted out, but you will not even consider the possibility.."
"ENOUGH!!!" said Manav angrily. "I haven't come here to listen to your lecture!"
"Oh yes! You have come here to give me a lecture right, that what you and Baba and everyone does is best for me.. but of course you will not accept it when others try and make the best decisions for you. Listen now, I frankly don't care now whether you want to get married to Shravani or not, I just wanted to see what answer you would give to this question of hypocrisy- cos the situation is the same- you expect me to consider Baba's decision due to my respect for him and the logical and practical implications, and I expect you to consider Aai's wish for you for the same reason. If you agree to Aai's reasons, only THEN expect me to listen to Baba. PRACTISE WHAT YOU PREACH!!! And take my advice- get married to Shravani, for the sanity of your own brain as well as for everyone else. Cut this Karanjkar chapter. Do just this one thing for your family- except for handing a meager mechanic's salary to my Aai, you have never done anything for my family."
The last few words stabbed into Manav's heart like a dagger.
"Not done anything???" repeated Manav incredulously. "Not done anything???" (voice louder). "I GAVE UP MY LIFE FOR MY FAMILY! This mechanic made YOU a graduate!!! And its not just my meagre mechanic salary, WITH MY BLOOD AND SWEAT I HAVE NOURISHED the family. I could never graduate. Could never get a better job, had to hear taunts of being couth and rough and unpolished, could not hope for marriage cos I knew no girl would want someone like me, was rejected when I approached for marriage, and yet did not complain. HOW MUCH MORE DO YOU WANT????" (shouting)
With this, Manav turned to Vandu, who was sitting with tears in her eyes. "I'm waiting outside, you come when you are ready." He walked out of the room.
Sachin sat down near Vandu, who was weeping silently. He put an arm around her. Vandu shrugged it off. "Go away!" she said. "I don't like you! You have changed! You hurt everyone these days. I'm going home with Dada."
"Vandu, listen to me." Said Sachin, making her sit again. "I know you must have felt bad, trust me, I know he was hurt too, although he tried not to show it. He was more hurt than angry. But what I said is true. At the end of the day, Dada is a simple mechanic- irrespective of how ever much he has sacrificed for us. Sacrifices make you feel good, but do not help you fill your stomach. He prides himself on having sustained his family on a mechanic's salary for long, if I was in his place, I would have felt ashamed that I HAD TO WORK AS A MECHANIC for so many years in the first place and COULD NOT do anything to improve my condition. Dada cannot see the stagnation he is in- in 15 years, he has hardly grown, he is stuck in a rut, to compensate for these disappointments, he starts counting his achievements as 'Vandu graduated, Sachin graduated and so on'."
"Also Vandu, he might have done a lot for us, I have never denied this, but that was BEFORE marriage. After Archana Vahini's entry he changed drastically. He does anything to please her or her family members, even putting our lives at stakes. And he takes decisions for all of us, but does not like it when we suggest something."
Vandu was trying to get up. "I don't want to listen to all this."
Sachin stopped her. "You must. You are the one who is at home and taking care of these things. Notice how Dada does not listen to Aai these days.."
"Even I don't like Shravani Tai coming in our house now.. she is not a nice girl. I hope Dada refuses to marrye her." Said Vandu in a small voice.
Sachin grew frustrated. "GROW UP, WILL YOU!!!! SHEESH! I guess I'm wasting my time explaining things to a 16 year old teenager who doesn't understand how difficult life is and how you need to be practical and not morally right all the time. You will end up like Dada!" Vandu kept quiet. She was used to this by now. People explained her things, claiming that she was old enough and must understand, but if she expressed a different opinion, she was dismissed off as an immature child. Oh wow! So if you agreed with the elders, you are mature, if you have a different viewpoint, you automatically become immature! Vandu couldn't help getting frustrated of her family members these days.
Sachin tried again. "Look, I know you love Dada, and I'm telling you, this is in his own benefit only. Archana Vahini has never cared for him. He cannot become a Devdas and mourn for her forever, he MUST GET married!"
"But why Shravani?" piped in Vandu. "Why not some other nice girl?"
"Bcos no good girl from a good family would like to marry a poor mechanic and come to live in a chawl. Plus marriage with Shravani will give Dada FINANCE! He will be able to become a rich garage owner, and not stagnate as a mechanic any more. Shravani's father is so good, he always gives Dada so much respect.."
"Yes," Vandu said thoughtfully. "Girish Kaka is a very nice man.."
Sachin grew excited. "Manav Dada has faced bad times, I know. He needs time to come out of his divorce mess and his previous relationship as well, this also I know, but all this takes TIME and by then Girish Kaka might find another suitable guy, and Manav Dada might miss the bus. See Vandu, Aai talked to me regarding this. We mutually decided that it is the best option for everyone- and most importantly for Dada himself. He gets a chance to grow in life, he gets a loving life partner, in-laws who respect him, what else is required in life??? He might have been unfair to me and is wrong at the moment, but still I can't help thinking and wishing well for him, cos he is my brother. All this is in HIS betterment."
Vandu grew thoughtful. "But Dada doesn't like her.."
"He will like her slowly- slowly. Nothing wrong in this. With time, as he gets involved in new business matters and his own domestic and family life, he will forget whatever past mistakes she made. At first, when Aai told all this to me, I was also flabbergasted and thought that it is not right to think like this, but now I think Aai's arguments were all convincing and true. Yes, everything I told you is what Aai told me as well. And.."
He stopped. Manav was standing at the door of the room, looking very angry.
"I came to ask you to drop Vandu home, since I got a call from the garage." He said through his teeth. "I didn't know that a brainwashing session was in progress."
"Listen.."
"NO, YOU LISTEN!!!" shouted Manav. "Don't involve the children in our personal equations and the family problems. Don't use them to force your opinions down others throats. I always told them to keep out of all the problems we had till now, and I expect the same from you."
"You are no one to impose!"
"And you are no one to guide them, since you've been behaving pretty immature yourself!" shot back Manav. He pulled Vandu by the hand. "Come Vandu. And now Sachin, this is the LAST TIME I've talked on this issue. The doors of our house are always open for you, and you can come back anytime you want, but now don't expect me to bring you back."
He stormed out of the house with Vandu, who was weeping again. They walked into the garden of the hotel lobby and sat on a bench. "Control your crying, then we will go." He said solemnly, massaging the sides of his forehead.
"I'm alright." She said, trying to be normal. "Dada, I'm so sorry for all this.."
"No need to say sorry.. it is not you or Sachin but Aai to whom I have to ask questions now."
"Dada can I help you in anyway."
"Yes." Said Manav promptly. "Stay out of all this. You love all of us, and you will get caught very badly in the tussles of these relationships. In any case you have your XIIth standard this year- the most important year of your life which will decide your future- if you do well this year, you will get admission in good colleges and life is set. Concentrate on that, no need to get involved in all these fights."
"But.."
"IF you want to help me, then just stay out of all this so that I can be relaxed that there is one family member less to be handled. Study, and get admission in a good government college and save me money. That's all I want right now. "
Vandita nodded silently. She looked at Manav who looked very tired and down. "Are you okay?" she asked with concern. "Yeah sure." He said, as if nothing had happened.
************************
"What did Tarun say finally?" asked Archana to Vaishali.
Vaishali was in a foul mood. "He was super-pissed." She said. "I mean, can you imagine- not inviting his best friend for the engagement! What could be more horrible???"
Archana nodded. In the morning, the Karanjkars had met the Kapoor family to discuss about the engagement and finalise the date and arrangements. In the animated conversation, Manav's name had slipped in somewhere, and the Karanjkars had straightened up.
"I think you must be knowing that Manav-Archana will be getting divorced in less than a week now. As such, if they come together in an engagement ceremony function, it would be awkward for both of them as well as for all of us. People will gossip and question. And you know very well, that considering how Manav has ruined our daughter's life, we really do not wish to have him at a happy occasion.. we request you to not invite anyone from the Deshmukh family at the event." Said Sulochana, folding her hands before Tarun's parents.
This had displeased both Tarun and his parents. Tarun had been expecting this, but to hear it out finally was very frustrating. Manav had mediated his affair with Vaishali, and he was his closest friend anyway- he definitely wanted him to be there at this special moment. He had argued out about how he could not break relations with Manav for joining new ones, but had been quietened by Karanjkars.
"We are not telling you to break relations with him. Just keep us out of it. In the engagement, our neighbours, relatives and Satish's family will also be there. It will be very embarrassing for all, and might even spoil the function. Add to it that Archana's trauma will be unimaginable- she is trying very hard to move on now. Aren't we compromising by organizing the engagement early even though Varsha won't be able to make it?? So is it too much to request you to be a little considerate in this affair? That man left my daughter in a brothel, where anything could have happened to her. He RUINED her life, and we really do not wish him to cross our lives."
Tarun had wanted to jump up and defend Manav at this point, but he knew it would have been of no use. It was a topic on which the Kapoors and Karanjkars had mutually agreed to disagree since they could not see eye to eye.
Tarun's family too had been annoyed. Being the groom's side and the richer party, they had not expected the girl's side to make such requests/demands. They didn't like it at all.
"They never respected Manav, that was understandable, cos he was not so rich and there were misunderstandings. But now, they are behaving with us also in this manner." They whispered amongst themselves.
Back to the present, Archana and Vaishali thought over what they could do to handle the situation.
"Its better if Manav doesn't come actually." Said Archana. Of late, she had been having guilt trips everytime she met Manav and had started feeling as if she would end up withdrawing from the divorce, even if it was not a right decision for her in the long run. "His Aai might fight, or say something to me in front of all."
"But how do we say all this to Tarun???" asked Vaishali. "And what about his parents?"
"I don't know.."
"You know what Tai, asking Manav Jeeju not to come this time doesn't solve the situation. We might be handling it this time, but there will be many more occasions in the future when Jeeju and you might have to come face to face- like our wedding, festivals, kids and so on. What will you do then? Or shall we have to chose between you and Jeeju each time?" questioned Vaishali.
Archana understood. The policy of alienation or looking the other way wasn't going to work. In the future, Manav and herself would have to come face to face. It was inevitable, and it was better for them to accept it, rather than ignore it.
******************************
"AAI!!!" Manav stormed into the house angrily, with a quivering Vandu following behind. Savita rushed out of the kitchen with her dough covered hands. "What happened?"
"So you have talked to Sachin also regarding me and Shravani??? You have decided everything for me already??? Have you talked to Girishji as well???"
Savita was quiet. "Who told you all this?"
"Sachin told me."
Savita didn't say anything for a couple of minutes, finally she took a deep breath and said, "I didn't want to bring up this matter till your divorce came through and you were ready to move on."
"It will NOT happen… not today not tomorrow, not later!!!" said Manav. "I don't want to marry Shravani. She called me characterless and ruined my marriage, she spoke terrible lies- I can never forgive her for all this."
"Manav, forget all that and move on, this is in your best intentions.. that girl loves you, her family likes you, you can have a good financial future with her and you can get all the opportunities that you didn't get in all these years- in fact it is best for all of us!"
"NO!" said Manav vehemently. "This is not right. I don't want to get married to someone whom I don't respect."
"There is no question of right or wrong here."
"I will not marry Shravani and that is final Aai.."
"Manav, you haven't forgotten Archana right???"
Silence. For a few minutes, Manav didn't know what to say. "I don't like Shravani. I hate her. That is why i.. Archana has nothing to do in all this.. I don't want to talk on this anymore."
With this he quietly walked out of the room.
Savita shook her head. Archana had created a havoc in this house. And now even though she was not here, she was still influencing Manav's decisions, she thought. But Savita had made up her mind. Manav was an emotional fool, but she wasn't. Proposals like Shravani did not come everyday. Her son Sachin had landed a good girl from a rich influential family and now she wanted the same for Manav too. She had to make sure that this proposal reached a positive result. She had made up her mind- Shravani was going to come in this house and that was it, and now she had to convince Manav by hook or crook, and..
..and..
..and..
Girishji!!
The influence of Girishji on Manav's life was tremendous, since Manav was indebted to him for many reasons. She had earlier thought that she would let Manav recover a little before talking to him about remarriage, but now that he knew everything what all of them were planning, it was better to speak openly about it, lest he grew resentment against her. She decided to ask Girishji to speak to Manav. Deep inside she knew, Manav could never refuse Girishji, and he had even promised her that he would not go against her. With a little more emotional talks, she could convince him- as it is he had become stumped when she had taken Archana's name, and he was often very guilty these days due to their financial problems and Sachin leaving the house. She smiled smugly as she thought that the ball was in her court now.
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Varsha sat for a long time in the mall, where she worked as a salesgirl, even after it started closing. She busied herself in packing the bottles of pickles in boxes. She thought and thought and thought.
Abhi was right. She couldn't have everything her way. She had thought many times about telling Archu Tai everything, but always stopped herself thinking of what would happen if Archana told the truth to her parents. Somehow she didn't have the courage to face them all- to admit that she had been wrong and unsuccessful, to go home with a loser's story. But most importantly, she didn't want to go to that place where she knew everyone would be against her decision to fight and would be ashamed of her when she told them she was out of jail using illegal means.
But cos of HER mistakes, she couldn't take risks with Archana and Manav's lives, she thought. They were her true well-wishers and it was her duty to make sure that problems between them had not escalated due to the misfortunes which had occurred bcos of her. So far she knew that everything was okay, and she had consoled herself with thinking that all must be fine still. But she needed to be sure of it, she needed to know if everything was completely all right. If it endangered her prospects, it was okay, sometimes you had to leave things on fate—but she couldn't let two innocent persons suffer for no fault of their own. Maybe she was entitled by fate to fight on her own, she thought sadly. She would have to do something. But what?? She couldn't talk to Manav, since she didn't have his new number and had lost contact with him completely.
That left only one solution—and she decided to take it---she would talk to Archana and tell her the truth and would ask her not to tell at home. If Archu Tai agreed, well and good, otherwise.. she would just get prepared to fight another battle, this time with her own people. Bad for her and most unfortunate, but at least Archu Tai would come to know that she was wrong in punishing Manav UNnecessarily.
That did it, she thought. With a firm resolve, she got up and walked towards an STD phone booth to call Archana.
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As always, waiting for your comments and feedback. Have a happy and safe holi!!!
CID
